INTRODUCTION: Malignant melanoma is one of the most rapidly increasing cancer types globally, and it is by far the most serious skin cancer. Patients with a melanoma ≥ 1 mm in Breslow thickness are offered sentinel node (SN) biopsy and subsequent radical lymph node dissection if the biopsy is positive. The objective in the present paper was to describe post-operative complications in this group of patients. A standard operation and drainage regime was used. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study based on 96 consecutive SN-positive patients with primary cutaneous malignant melanoma who underwent subsequent radical axillary or inguinal lymph node dissection. Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used to evaluate associations. RESULTS: In all, 57 patients were male and 39 female. A total of 71 had an axillary and 25 an inguinal operation. The median drainage period was seven days (2-15 days). Forty patients developed seroma which needed puncture; three of these cases were chronic, there was no difference between the two groups. Seroma puncture was only associated with infection in the inguinal group (p = 0.04). 25% in the axillary group were diagnosed with lymph oedema after three months versus 48% in the inguinal group (p = 0.04). A body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2 was associated with a slight, but non-significant increase in complications (p = 0.08). No association was found for smoking or co-morbidity. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing axillary or inguinal lymph node dissection experience a significant number of complications, especially seroma and lymph oedema. Long-term complications are severe and can profoundly impact the patient's quality of life.
INTRODUCTION:Malignant melanoma is one of the most rapidly increasing cancer types globally, and it is by far the most serious skin cancer. Patients with a melanoma ≥ 1 mm in Breslow thickness are offered sentinel node (SN) biopsy and subsequent radical lymph node dissection if the biopsy is positive. The objective in the present paper was to describe post-operative complications in this group of patients. A standard operation and drainage regime was used. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study based on 96 consecutive SN-positive patients with primary cutaneous malignant melanoma who underwent subsequent radical axillary or inguinal lymph node dissection. Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used to evaluate associations. RESULTS: In all, 57 patients were male and 39 female. A total of 71 had an axillary and 25 an inguinal operation. The median drainage period was seven days (2-15 days). Forty patients developed seroma which needed puncture; three of these cases were chronic, there was no difference between the two groups. Seroma puncture was only associated with infection in the inguinal group (p = 0.04). 25% in the axillary group were diagnosed with lymph oedema after three months versus 48% in the inguinal group (p = 0.04). A body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2 was associated with a slight, but non-significant increase in complications (p = 0.08). No association was found for smoking or co-morbidity. CONCLUSION:Patients undergoing axillary or inguinal lymph node dissection experience a significant number of complications, especially seroma and lymph oedema. Long-term complications are severe and can profoundly impact the patient's quality of life.
Authors: Andrei Rios-Cantu; Ying Lu; Victor Melendez-Elizondo; Michael Chen; Alejandra Gutierrez-Range; Niloofar Fadaki; Suresh Thummala; Carla West-Coffee; James Cleaver; Mohammed Kashani-Sabet; Stanley P L Leong Journal: Clin Exp Metastasis Date: 2017-07-11 Impact factor: 5.150
Authors: Cimarron E Sharon; Richard J Straker; Eric H Li; Giorgos C Karakousis; John T Miura Journal: Ann Surg Oncol Date: 2022-08-25 Impact factor: 4.339
Authors: Muhammed Beşir Oztürk; Arzu Akan; Ozay Ozkaya; Onur Egemen; Ali Rıza Oreroğlu; Turgut Kayadibi; Mithat Akan Journal: J Skin Cancer Date: 2014-07-13
Authors: Peter L Stollwerck; Dominik Schlarb; Nicole Münstermann; Sebastian Stenske; Christoph Kruess; Gerhard Brodner; Björn Dirk Krapohl; Albrecht F Krause-Bergmann Journal: GMS Interdiscip Plast Reconstr Surg DGPW Date: 2016-01-20